Hair Tips from ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Prom Episode

If you tuned in to last week’s “Pretty Little Liars” prom episode on ABC Family and fawned over the flowing tresses, stunning braids, or immediately began envisioning yourself with Aria’s short and sassy ‘do, we have some great tips and tricks on achieving the looks from the big night straight from the source. The show’s hair department head hairstylist Kim M. Ferry has shared her styling tips for the big dance, along with hair tips from season 6.

Prom Looks from ‘Last Dance’ Episode #609

At this point in our season, my hair department’s “Top Hair Moment” is definitely the prom episode, “Last Dance.” We designed some great hairstyles; built, cut, and added human hair extensions and intricate braids. I hired a jewelry designer, Mary Anne Brown (@energeticjewlry) and she made some beautiful custom hair accessories, all handmade for one special PLL. Interesting fact: Mary Anne picks stones that all have “energetic properties” with the intention of bringing joy to the wearer. I thought that was pretty cool to use on-camera.

I also custom made some flower hairpins and a lovely hair braid I clipped into an updo for another PLL. We even established some fun hairstyles on our Rosewood High School background prom guests as well. It was a big episode with loads of hair fun!

Tips for Styling Shorter Cuts like Aria and Hannah

Their shorter, textured hair lengths look so good on both of them. As for styling now, I still use a good setting spray before I curl them, like White Sands Liquid Texture Medium Hold Thermal Styling Spray. It can be used wet or dry. I usually spray each section I am going to curl. I like the softness of our “beach wave” looks, and have loosened them even more on Hannah and Aria in season 6. We have more youthful looks in the first 10 episodes of our show, created by letting their hair hang around their faces and drift onto their shoulders. By using a 1-inch wide hot curling iron, I wrap 1-inch hair sections vertically around the barrel, hold for 4-5 seconds, and then gently pull down on the curl and let the hair fall into place to cool as it hangs. This angle helps to give the effect that they walked out of the ocean and let their hair dry in the sun. I don’t usually use hairspray on either of them, but I do add my preferred oil to their ends daily — White Sands Orchids Oil. Put a little on your fingertips and lightly add it to dry, tired ends and watch it smooth hair immediately. Orchids Oil really helps with fly-aways, tangles, and most notably it smells delicious! (And yes, I use this oil at home in my hair too!)

Best Techniques for Loose Waves on Longer Hair Like Spencer and Emily

The technique is really very close to that for the shorter hair I described above. To create larger waves, simply switch to a larger iron, but I think a 1-inch hot iron works great with longer beach waves as well. Still use a good setting spray and curl vertically instead of horizontally and be sure to pull the wave out as it cools.

Character Hair Personalities

Our PLL characters’ personalities and their “hair personalities” can change episode-to-episode. One day the girls could be at school, with long flowing hair in wonderful, shiny beach waves and then they can hop in a car and be in “Sleuth Mode” with ponytails or have messy buns because they are hunting down answers on a dark night; or maybe they all have disheveled, dirty hair because “A” has locked them all in a terrible place! The scenes unfold in our scripts and the writer’s descriptions often mold the look for every character on “Pretty Little Liars.” I take my direction and consult the products and then the actors and create the best look for each moment we have on-screen. I want everyone to be happy — producers, writers, actors, and of course our amazing loyal fans!

The PLL’s hair has evolved a lot in seasons 4, 5, and now 6. We are heading into new directions soon and have even more hair surprises coming in the second half of the season, so be sure to tune in!

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